Metal reinforcement and method of forming same



March 15, 1949. YOUNG 2,464,541

METAL REINFORCEMENT AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME Filed April 23, 1945 Patented Mar. 15, 1949 METAL REINFORCEMENT AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME Fred M. Young, Racine, Wis., assignor to Young Radiator Company, Racine, Wis., 'a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 23, 1945, Serial No. 589,789

2 Claims. 1

In the formation of receptacles from comparatively thin sheet metal, one of the problems encountered is the reinforcement of the housing at the point where fittings have to be attached. In the past the practice has involved the use of a strip of sheet metal secured on the side of .the supporting material opposite that on which the fittin was attached. Such a strip is secured in place by the use of rivets extendin through suitable holes in a flange, on the fitting in the sheet metal, and in the reinforcing strip. Subsequently solder has been applied, first around the entire perimeter of the fitting flange and later along the perimeter of the reinforcing strip. This past means and method of reinforcement has two disadvantages. It involves the use of an excessive amount of metal for the reinforcing strip, and has required an excessive amount of labor in effecting the soldering.

The main objects of this invention, therefore, are to provide an improved means and method of metal reinforcement particularly adapted for use with light sheet metal equipment; to provide an improved type of reinforcing means and method of applying which greatly reduces the requirement for metal and lessens the labor requirements for the soldering operation; and to provide an improved means and method of metal reinforcement which is exceedingly simple in practice and which provides a completed structure of great strength and durability.

In the drawings,

Rigs. 1 and 2, show the reinforcements embodying the preferred form of this invention; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line 3-3 of Fi 1.

In sheet metal construction, particularly such as is used for heat transfer units, one or more fittings 6 have to be attached to the sheet metal element or housing 1 adjacent to an opening 8 to serve as an inlet and/or outlet. The fitting 6 usually has a flange 9, holes in which are suitably formed to register with similar holes in the sheet metal 1 and to receive mechanical bonds It in the form of rivets.

Because this flanged fitting B is usually of a rather heavy construction and the sheet metal 1 is rather light, it has been the practice to reinforce the sheet metal 1 at the point of attachment of the fitting 6. In the past this has been accomplished through the use of a thin strip of metal provided with holes to register with those in the flange 9 of the fitting 6 and in the sheet metal I and through which extend the mechanical bonds I0.

' around the entire In order to make such connection fluid-tight, it has to solder the flange 9 to the sheet metal 1 around the entire perimeter of the flange. The soldering has usually been done after applying the usualacid to. the perimeters of the flange 9 and the reinforcing strip. The capillarity of the solder relative to the abutting faces of these parts would cause the solder to be drawn in toward the mechanical bond l0 and down between the abutting surfaces of the reinforcing strip and the sheet metal 7. However, it was never possible to ascertain. how effective or extensivewas this capillary action of the solder between the reinforcing strip and the sheet metal 1. Therefore, to further ensure the sealing of the fitting 6 to the sheet metal 1, it heretofore has been necessary to make a further application of solder perimeter of the reinforcing strip.

The improved means and method of metal reinforcement, embodying the present invention, involves the use of small reinforcing pads or plates I4, one of which is secured in place by each of mechanical bonds l0. Each pad I4 has a number of apertures [5 formed therein concentrically around the hole provided for the reception of the mechanical bond I 0.

Following the setting of the mechanical bonds l0, soldering acid is applied to the perimeter l2 of the flange 9 of the fitting 6 and to the apertures in the pads M. The subsequent application of solder around the perimeter I2 of the flange 9 of the fitting 6 results in the solder being drawn by capillary action in between the sheet metal 1 and the flange 9 toward the mechanical bond [0 and into the apertures l5 in the pads 14. This is most clearly shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the solder film l6 being somewhat exaggerated for the purpose of illustrating the results of this means and method of metal reinforcement.

The apertures IS, in addition to facilitating the capillary action of the solder as applied to the perimeter l2 of the flange 9, permit an observation to be made, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, as to how thoroughly the solder film I 6 has found its way between the reinforcing pads l4 and the sheet metal I, particularly between a mechanical bond l0 and the concentrically arranged apertures I5 of the related pads M.

This improved form and practice has advantages over the prior art form and practice. In the first place, a great deal of material is saved, yet the rigidity of the fitting 6 on the sheet metal 1 is quite equal to what is accomplished in the prior art form and practice. In the second place, a great deal of labor has been saved, as solder has to be applied only around the perimeter l2 of the flange 9.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts. may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A metal reinforcement of the class described comprising, an element having an opening formed therein, a flanged fitting, a plurality of separately-formed reinforcing pads, and mechanical bonds extending through and clamping together said flanged fitting and said pads on re"- spectively opposite sides of said element concentrically of said opening, said pads each having a plurality of apertures formed therein adjacent to said mechanical bond so as to form and expose I to View fillets of solder around the perimeters of said apertures resulting from the capillarity of molten solder applied to the perimeter of said flanged fitting.

2. The method of reinforcing a light sheetmetal housing having an opening therein which comprises, providing a flanged fitting with apertures in the flange adapted for attachment to said sheet-metal housing bordering said opening, forming a plurality of separate reinforcing pads each with a mechanical bond aperture surrounded by a plurality of other apertures, securing said fitting and several of said pads in place on re- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 8,762 Bourne June 17, 1879 368,611 Pratt Aug. 23, 1887 701,777 Vauclain June 3, 1902 774,041 Collin NOV 1, 1904 1,591,057 Schwartz July 6, 1926 1,894,675 Dixon Jan. 17, 1933 1,924,121 Jasper Aug. 29, 1933 1,933,915 Lindquist Nov. 7, 1933 2,083,4 10 Fink June 8, 1937 2,089,125 Krohqllest Aug. 3, 1937 2,129,583 Johanssoh Sept. 6, 1938 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,464,541. March 15, 1949.

FRED M. YOUNG It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 2, after the Word has insert been the practice; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of August, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY Assistant Uommessioner of Patents. 

